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Are you a degenerate gambler? Perhaps you’re someone who picks games against the spread just for fun and to see how smart you really aren’t? If this describes you, or if you just like to be entertained by a crazy sports columnist, you’re in luck, because you’ve stumbled across Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks, a weekly post from the start of the football season, all the way to the Super Bowl, where me, Mike Drakulich (PSN), the man behind Pittsburgh SportsNation, takes on my father, Michael J. Drakulich (MJD), in picking NCAA and NFL games against the Vegas line! Check out the Draftkings welcome offer to see how you can win big and find many bonuses.
I cover both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pitt Panthers during the season for the fabulous NGSCSports.com!
Normally, we always include the local teams here in Western Pennsylvania, which are Pitt, Penn State, West Virginia, and the Pittsburgh Steelers among our weekly picks. This gives me the chance to take shots at the opposing teams I really dislike, enraging certain readers, and adding delight to my busy weekends.
All in all, both my dad and I are pretty good at picking these games, but don’t take our word for it. You’re on your own when you place your bets, so don’t blame us if you lose… but you can share your winnings with us if you wish.
Itchy vs Scratchy. Black Spy vs White Spy. Cheers vs Gary’s Old Towne Tavern. History is full of rivalries, but none are better than father vs son! Who will rise above the other this season and become the 2020-21 Against All Odds Champion?
Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks Week 14
Lines as of 12/18/2020
When you are playing Against All Odds, expect the ride to be unpredictable. For almost all of the season, my dad was killing it–and me, until he hit a lull, and suddenly I started putting together consecutive weeks above .500 and then really got the ball rolling the past two weeks by going 16-4. I had 10-0 snatched away from me when the Steelers forgot how to play football Sunday night vs the Bills. For the year, dad is still going good at 68-62, but I have taken a four game lead heading down the stretch with a 72-58 record.
NCAA
Saturday, December 19th
Big 12 Championship Game
#10 Oklahoma Sooners (7-2) at #6 Iowa State Cyclones (8-2)
Game Time: 12:00 PM at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX.
Vegas Line: Oklahoma -5.5
The Pick: PSN: Iowa State | MJD: Oklahoma
Oklahoma is going for it’s 6th straight Big 12 Championship, but standing in their way is the red hot Cyclones who defeated the Sooners 37-30 earlier this season. The last time Iowa State won a conference title was 1912… time to update history.
Big Ten Championship Game
#14 Northwestern Wildcats (6-1) at #4 Ohio State Buckeyes (5-0)
Game Time: 12:00 PM at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN.
Vegas Line: Ohio State -19.5
The Pick: PSN: Ohio State | MJD: Ohio State
Ohio State has only played five games this season, so look for the Buckeyes to try and make an example out of Northwestern to secure their spot in the College Football Playoffs.
Sun Belt Championship Game
Air Force Falcons (3-2) at Army Black Knights (8-2)
Game Time: 3:00 PM at Michie Stadium, West Point, NY.
Vegas Line: Air Force -2.5
The Pick: PSN: Air Force | MJD: Air Force
I loved, as I do every year, watching the Army-Navy game last week, so why not follow it up with Air Force taking on Army? The F-16’s may be flying high in the air for the pilots on the Falcons, but not on the field, as it is the rushing attack that drives the Air Force offense, which averages 336 yards on the ground per game.
ACC Championship Game
#3 Clemson Tigers (9-1) at #2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-0)
Game Time: 4:00 PM at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC.
Vegas Line: Clemson -10.5
The Pick: PSN: Notre Dame | MJD: Clemson
The last time these two met the Irish won in double overtime 47-40. That game, however, was missing the services of Trevor Lawrence for the Tigers. This may be meeting two of three as well… I like Clemson to get some payback, but no more than ten points. The Irish are as good as advertised.
SEC Championship Game
#7 Florida Gators (8-2) at #1 Alabama Crimson Tide (10-0)
Game Time: 8:00 PM at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA.
Vegas Line: Alabama -16.5
The Pick: PSN: Alabama | MJD: Florida
Florida was rolling along until LSU surprisingly tripped them up last week. Were the Gators looking ahead? Roll Tide in a beat down of epic proportions. Florida can put up some points, but Bama’s Mac Jones is going to put up a lot more, who has 3,321 yards passing with 27 TD’s and just three interceptions.
NFL
Sunday, December 20th
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-5) at Atlanta Falcons (4-9)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA.
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay -5.5
The Pick: PSN: Tampa Bay | MJD: Tampa Bay
Tampa and Tom Brady will be trying to secure a playoff spot with a win over the up and down Falcons.
New England Patriots (6-7) at Miami Dolphins (8-5)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL.
Vegas Line: Miami -2.5
The Pick: PSN: Miami | MJD: New England
The Dolphins can ill afford a loss to their nemeses’ from Beantown… meanwhile, a Patriots win here would keep their faint hopes of sneaking into the playoffs alive.
Seattle Seahawks (9-4) at Washington Football Team (6-7)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at FedEx Field, Landover, MD.
Vegas Line: Seattle -5.5
The Pick: PSN: Seattle | MJD: Washington
Washington has played well of late, but without Antonio Gibson, they will have a hard time of keeping up with the high scoring Seahawks lead by Russell Wilson.
NY Jets (0-13) at LA Rams (9-4)
Game Time: 4:05 PM at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA.
Vegas Line: LA Rams -16.5
The Pick: PSN: LA Rams | MJD: LA Rams
The Jets fly across the country to have their heads handing to them, literally, by Aaron Donald and the fast rising Rams.
Monday, December 21st
Pittsburgh Steelers (11-2) at Cincinnati Bengals (2-10-1)
Game Time: 8:15 PM at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH.
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh -11.5
The Pick: PSN: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
The Steelers haven’t been right since the chaos of the Ravens game that was postponed three times. Pittsburgh hasn’t had a real bye week this year either when their game vs Tennessee was moved. With a normal week of practice under their belts and key players returning this week, Big Ben and the Steelers will bury the Bengals and get their season back on track.
Against All Odds Pick Results
PSN: Last Week: 9-1 | Overall: 72-58 — (.553
MJD: Last Week: 5-5 | Overall: 68-62 -4 (.523)
Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks History
2019 Champion: MJD
2018 Champion: MJD
2017 Champion: PSN
2016 Champion: MJD
2015 Champion: MJD
2014 Champion: PSN
2013 Champion: PSN
Author Profile
- Your source for Pittsburgh sports!
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From Midland, "The Basketball Capital of Pennsylvania", located 35 miles NW of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River. This former steel town was home to storied athletes such as Dave Alston, Norm Van Lier, Simmie Hill, and the legendary 1965 Midland High School Basketball Team.
There's nowhere on earth that is more dedicated to its sports teams like Western Pennsylvania and the city of Pittsburgh. The passion and pride of Pittsburgh's fan base is second to no one. From the NFL, NHL, MLB, NCAA football and basketball, to W.P.I.A.L. high school sports, "The City of Champions" has it all!
As Editor of Pittsburgh SportsNation, Mike Drakulich provides top notch opinions and coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pitt Panthers football & basketball, Robert Morris Colonials basketball, and Duquesne Dukes basketball, as well as all sports teams that represent Western Pennsylvania, including WPIAL High School Football.
For a refreshing view of sports, mixed with humor and uncensored opinions, check out Pittsburgh SportsNation today on Facebook, Twitter @PghSportsNation and videos with over 1,000,000 views on YouTube!
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